Tennessee doctors express concern as retail clinics flourish

The Tennessean, January 24, 2008

A growing number of people across Middle Tennessee are seeking care at retail clinics that promise shorter waits and lower fees for treating common illnesses. The fast growth of the concept is drawing concern from doctors about issues such as safety of patients at the clinics staffed mostly by nurse practitioners. The Tennessee Medical Association had planned to propose new rules to the state's Board of Medical Examiners that would have required that a supervising doctor be within 30 miles of a clinic and spend more time there.